The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate to 1.25% on September 18, the highest level in 31 years, in a 7-2 vote as inflation hit its 2% target amid elevated global energy costs.
Tag: Bank of Japan
Posted inEconomy
BOJ Board Splits on Rate Pace as One Member Calls for Faster Hikes Than Markets Expect
The Bank of Japan’s July meeting summary, released August 10, shows one board member arguing the pace of rate hikes could exceed market expectations as core inflation nears 2%.
Posted inEconomy
Tokyo Inflation Quickens a Second Month, Keeping the BOJ on Track for Another Hike
Tokyo’s core consumer prices rose 2.4% year-on-year in August, a second consecutive monthly acceleration driven by utility subsidy phase-outs and surging rice prices, reinforcing expectations for a BOJ rate hike.
Posted inEconomy
Bank of Japan Holds at 1% and Upgrades Growth Forecast as Yen Slides to 40-Year Low
Japan’s central bank held its policy rate at 1% on July 27, upgraded its GDP forecast to 0.8% for fiscal 2026, and signalled further tightening ahead as the yen neared a 40-year low.
Posted inEconomy
Japan factory prices hit three-year high at 7.1%, sharpening BOJ rate debate
Japan’s producer price index rose 7.1% year-on-year in June 2026, the fastest pace since March 2023, driven by energy and input costs that reinforce the case for further Bank of Japan rate hikes.
Posted inEconomy
Japan retail sales surge 5.3% in May, giving BOJ room to keep hiking
Japan’s retail sales rose 5.3% year-on-year in May 2026, the fastest pace since November 2023, as wage growth and government subsidies powered a broad spending rebound.
Posted inEconomy
BOJ board members back further rate hikes toward a neutral rate of 2%
Bank of Japan board members backed continued rate rises and estimated a neutral rate near 2%, in the June 24 summary of opinions released after the bank’s historic 1% decision.
Posted inEconomy
Bank of Japan lifts rates to 1%, highest since the mid-1990s
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate to 1% in a 7-1 vote on Monday, the highest since September 1995, as Iran war energy costs push Japan’s inflation above target.
Posted inEconomy
The Iran deal’s oil shock reversal tests central banks on both sides of the Pacific
With the US-Iran ceasefire removing the energy shock that has driven global inflation since February, the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve face their pivotal June decisions in a changed landscape.
Posted inEconomy
Bank of Japan set to raise rates to 1% on June 16, highest since 1995
Governor Ueda has all but confirmed a June 16 rate rise to 1.00%, citing persistent inflation and yen-driven energy shocks, as market pricing reaches 80% odds for the hike.